Navigator Holdings Ltd. Third Quarter 2023 Results (Unaudited)

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Highlights

• On November 13, 2023, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of the common stock of Navigator Holdings Ltd. (the “Company”, “Navigator”, “we”, “our” and “us”) (NYSE: NVGS), for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (the “Dividend”). The Dividend will be payable on December 21, 2023, to all shareholders of record as of the close of business New York time on December 7, 2023 which would have equated to a quarterly dividend payment of $3.7 million.
• As part of the Capital Return Policy for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, Navigator expects to repurchase approximately $1.1 million of the Company’s common stock (the “Share Repurchases”) between November 16, 2023 and December 31, 2023, subject to operating needs, market conditions and other circumstances, such that the Dividend and Share Repurchases together equal 25% of net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
• The company reported operating revenue of $137.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $106.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
• Net Income attributable to stockholders’ of Navigator Holdings Ltd. was $19.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
• Earnings per share was $0.26 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $0.03 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
• Adjusted Earnings per share, to exclude unrealized gains or losses on non-designated derivative instruments was $0.27 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to a loss of $0.07 for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
• Adjusted EBITDA(1) was a record since the Company’s IPO of $72.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $41.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
• Fleet utilization increased to 93.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 84.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
• Average daily time charter equivalent (“TCE”) was $26,278 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $22,022 for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
• The Ethylene Export Terminal had a throughput during the third quarter of 2023 totaling 249,857 metric tons, compared to 189,140 metric tons during the third quarter of 2022.
• In September 2023, we purchased an aggregate of $9.0 million of the 2020 Bonds in the open market using cash on hand. These purchased 2020 Bonds have not been canceled or redeemed and the Company intends to hold the bonds to maturity.
• On October 25, 2023 the Company announced a new investment alongside Yara Growth Ventures to acquire a 14.5% interest in Azane Fuel Solutions for 2.7 million EUR (approximately $3 million). The first green ammonia bunkering units are scheduled to be delivered in 2025 enabling low carbon fuel offering to shipowners.

Ethylene Export Terminal

The Ethylene Export Terminal had a throughput during the third quarter of 2023 totaling 249,857 metric tons, compared to 189,140 metric tons during the third quarter of 2022.

We, together with Enterprise Products Partners L.P, our joint venture partner, have agreed to the Terminal Expansion Project, which is expected to increase the export capacity from approximately one million tons per year to at least 1.55 million tons. Long lead items have already been ordered and construction, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, has commenced. The total capital contributions required from us to the Export Terminal Joint Venture for the Terminal Expansion Project are expected to be approximately $125 million which the Company expects to finance using existing cash resources, distributions from the Export Terminal Joint Venture during the course of the expansion and additional debt. The Company has made a total of $27 million in capital contributions for the Terminal Expansion Project.

Azane Fuel Solutions Ammonia Bunkering

On October 25, 2023 the Company , together with Yara Growth Ventures, announced that each of them had successfully acquired a 14.5% interest in the Norwegian startup Azane Fuel Solutions AS (“Azane”) for 2.7 million EUR (approximately $3 million). Azane, a joint venture between ECONNECT Energy AS and Amon Maritime AS was founded in Norway in 2020 to develops proprietary technology and services for ammonia fuel handling, to facilitate the transition to green fuels for shipping.

Subject to customary conditions, Azane intends to build the world’s first ammonia bunkering network, with Yara Clean Ammonia already pre-ordering 15 units from Azane. The investment made by Yara and Navigator is expected to enable Azane to begin construction of its first bunkering unit for ammonia supply in Norway, aiming to kickstart the transition to zero-carbon fuels for maritime transportation. Future value creation for Azane is expected to come through international expansion with its bunkering solutions and broadening of its offerings in ammonia fuel handling technology.

Purchase of 2020 Unsecured Bonds

On September 10, 2020, we issued senior unsecured bonds in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million with Nordic Trustee AS as the bond trustee (the “2020 Bonds”). The 2020 Bonds are governed by Norwegian law and listed on the Nordic ABM which is operated and organized by Oslo Børs ASA.

In September 2023, we purchased an aggregate of $9.0 million of the 2020 Bonds in the open market using cash on hand. These purchased 2020 Bonds have not been canceled or redeemed and the Company intends to hold the bonds to maturity.

Shipping Trends

Utilization across the fleet increased from 89.0% in the second quarter of 2023 to 93.4% in the third quarter of 2023. Utilization during third quarter of 2022 was 84.9%. The increase in utilization of 8.8% is primarily driven by improvement in the market conditions for the ethylene capable vessels in our fleet.

During the third quarter of 2023, the handysize 12-month market assessment for semi-refrigerated and fully refrigerated vessels increased by $12,000 and $20,000 per calendar month (“pcm”), to $800,000 pcm and $772,000 pcm, respectively. The handysize ethylene market assessment increased by $40,000 pcm to $1,000,000 pcm.

During the third quarter of 2023 we experienced downward pressure on the ethylene arbitrage to Asia, this was balanced by increased activity on ethane movements, both transatlantic and to Asia, the latter being relatively long voyages and increasing the ton/mile. Guiding spot rates on the ethylene segment remained flat during the third quarter of 2023, however utilization and time charter assessments have improved.

We have 32 vessels engaged under time charters (“TC”) and 15 vessels on spot and contracts of affreightment (“CoA”). Our midsize and fully refrigerated vessels are fully employed on time charters, our semi-refrigerated vessels are employed under time charters and voyage charters, and most of the Ethylene capable vessels are employed on the spot market. From October 31, 2023 to October 31, 2024, we currently expect to have 38% of our ship days covered under time charter.

The fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 are typically busier seasons for our fleet. We expect to see an increase in spot activity and an increase in time charter assessment as well as a continuation of the positive market developments we have recently seen.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

¹EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP (non-GAAP financial measures). EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before profit on sale of vessel, unrealized gain or loss on non-designated derivative instruments and foreign currency exchange gain or loss on senior secured bonds.

Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors in evaluating the operating performance of the Company. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered alternatives to consolidated net income, cash generated from operations or any measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies.

Navigator Holdings Ltd. Announces Date for the Release of Third Quarter 2023 Results and Zoom

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. E.S.T., the Company’s management team will host a Zoom conference call and slide presentation to discuss the financial results.

Zoom Conference Call Details
Participants should register for the conference call and slide presentation through the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5Ka5sWGlTnSGNOlXRPq1Rg

Or join by phone:        
United States: +1 929 205 6099
United Kingdom: +44 330 088 5830

For a full list of US and international numbers available, please click on the link below:

International Dial-in numbers

Webinar ID: 854 2757 9980
Passcode: 280346

The conference call and slide presentation will be available for replay on Navigator’s website www.navigatorgas.com under Key Dates and All Reports in the Investors Centre section.

Audio Webcast:
There will also be a live, and then archived, webcast of the conference call, available through the Company’s website (www.navigatorgas.com). To listen to the live and archived audio file, visit our website www.navigatorgas.com and click on Key Dates under our Investors Centre page. Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About Navigator Gas

Navigator Holdings Ltd., which we sometimes refer to as “Navigator Gas”(NYSE: NVGS), is the owner and operator of the world’s largest fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers and a global leader in the seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, such as ethylene and ethane, liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) and ammonia and owns a 50% share, through a joint venture, in an ethylene export marine terminal at Morgan’s Point, Texas on the Houston Ship Channel, USA. Navigator Gas’ fleet consists of 56 semi- or fully-refrigerated liquefied gas carriers, 25 of which are ethylene and ethane capable. Navigator Gas plays a vital role in the liquefied gas supply chain for energy companies, industrial consumers and commodity traders, with its sophisticated vessels providing an efficient and reliable ‘floating pipeline’ between the parties, connecting the world today, creating a sustainable tomorrow.

Navigator Gas
Attention:
Investor Relations investorrelations@navigatorgas.com and randy.giveans@navigatorgas.com
Address: 333 Clay Street, Suite 2480, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. 77002
Tel: +1 713 373 6197 and +44 (0)20 7340 4850
London: 10 Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DH. Tel: +44 (0)20 7340 4850

Investor Relations / Media Advisors
Nicolas Bornozis / Paul Lampoutis
Capital Link – New York
Tel: +1-212-661-7566
Email: navigatorgas@capitallink.com

Unaudited Results of Operations for the Three months ended September 30, 2023 Compared to the Three months ended September 30, 2022

The following table compares our operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023:

Operating Revenues. Operating revenues, net of address commissions, was $125.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $31.6 million or 33.6% compared to $94.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This increase was primarily due to:

•   an increase in operating revenues of approximately $15.5 million attributable to an increase in average monthly time charter equivalent rates, which increased to an average of approximately $26,278 per vessel per day ($799,279 per vessel per calendar month) for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to an average of approximately $22,022 per vessel per day ($669,890 per vessel per calendar month) for the three months ended September 30, 2022;

•   an increase in operating revenues of approximately $9.5 million attributable to an increase in fleet utilization, which rose to 93.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 84.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2022;

•   an increase in operating revenues of approximately $6.2 million or 8.45%, attributable to a 333 day increase in vessel available days for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. This increase was in part as a result of five handysize vessels acquired by the Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture being fully operational during the three months ended September 30, 2023, and not included in the revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and in part as a result of fewer vessels in drydock for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022;

•   a increase in operating revenues of approximately $0.4 million primarily attributable to a increase in pass through voyage costs for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022.

The following table presents selected operating data for the three months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, which we believe are useful in understanding the basis for movement in our operating revenues.

* Fleet Data – Our nine owned smaller vessels in the independent commercially managed Unigas Pool and the vessels owned by Pacific Gas in our Luna Pool prior to their acquisition by the Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture are not included in this data.

** Non-GAAP Financial Measure—Time charter equivalent: Time charter equivalent (“TCE”) is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel. TCE is not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For all charters, we calculate TCE by dividing total operating revenues (excluding collaborative arrangements and revenues from the Unigas Pool), less any voyage expenses (excluding collaborative arrangements), by the number of earning days for the relevant period. TCE exclude the effects of the collaborative arrangements, as earning days and fleet utilization, on which TCE are based, are calculated for our owned vessels, and not the average of all pool vessels. Under a time charter, the charterer pays substantially all of the vessel voyage related expenses, whereas for voyage charters, also known as spot market charters, we pay all voyage expenses. TCE is a shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a company’s performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., voyage charters, time charters and contracts of affreightment) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods. We include average daily TCE, as we believe it provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with net operating revenues because it assists our management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of our vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. Our calculation of TCE may not be comparable to that reported by other companies.

Reconciliation of Operating Revenues to TCE rate

The following table represents a reconciliation of operating revenues to TCE rate. Operating revenues are the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the periods presented.

***Operating revenues and voyage expenses excluding collaborative arrangements and Unigas pool.

Operating Revenues – Unigas Pool. Operating revenues – Unigas Pool was $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and represents our share of the revenues earned from our nine vessels operating within the Unigas Pool, based on agreed pool points.

Operating Revenues – Luna Pool Collaborative Arrangements. Pool earnings are aggregated and then allocated (after deducting pool overheads and managers’ fees) to the Pool Participants in accordance with the Pooling Agreement. Operating revenues – Luna Pool collaborative arrangements was $nil for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and represents our share of pool net revenues generated by the other participant’s vessels in the pool, prior to the acquisition of the vessels by Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture. This decrease was primarily as a result of the arrangement ending following the acquisition of the final vessel Navigator Vega on April 13, 2023.

Brokerage Commissions. Brokerage commissions, which typically vary between 1.25% and 2.5% of operating revenues, increased by $0.4 million or 25.0% to $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to an increase in operating revenues on which brokerage commissions are based.

Voyage Expenses. Voyage expenses increased by $0.4 million or 1.7% to $20.6 millionfor the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $20.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. These voyage expenses are pass through costs, corresponding to an increase in operating revenues of the same amount.

Voyage Expenses – Luna Pool Collaborative Arrangements. Voyage expenses – Luna Pool collaborative arrangements were $nil$— million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. These voyage expenses – Luna Pool collaborative arrangements represent the other participant’s share of pool net revenues generated by both our vessels and those of the Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture in the pool This decrease was primarily as a result of the arrangement ending following the acquisition of the final vessel Navigator Vega on April 13, 2023.

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased by $0.9 million or 2.3% to $39.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $38.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Average daily vessel operating expenses decreased by $250 per vessel per day, or 3.2%, to $7,680 vessel per day for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $7,930 per vessel per day for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased by $0.5 million . Depreciation and amortization included amortization of capitalized drydocking costs of $4.4 million and $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

General and Administrative Costs. General and administrative costs increased by $1.2 million or 19.9% to $7.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

Non-operating Results

Foreign Currency Exchange Gain on Senior Secured Bonds.  In December 2022, we redeemed all of the 600 million Norwegian Kroner then outstanding principal amount of our senior secured bonds (the “2018 Bonds”) and no exchange gains and losses were recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2023. A foreign currency exchange gain of $5.1 million was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as a result of the Norwegian Kroner weakening against the U.S. Dollar.

Foreign Currency Exchange Gain on Senior Secured Bonds.  In December 2022, we redeemed all of the 600 million Norwegian Kroner then outstanding principal amount of our senior secured bonds (the “2018 Bonds”) and no exchange gains and losses were recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2023. A foreign currency exchange gain of $5.1 million was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as a result of the Norwegian Kroner weakening against the U.S. Dollar.

Unrealized Gains / (Losses) on Non-designated Derivative Instruments. The unrealized loss of $1.0 million on non-designated derivative instruments for the three months ended September 30, 2023, relates to a fair value loss on interest rate swaps across a number of our secured term loan and revolving credit facilities, as a result of a decrease in forward U.S. Libor and Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) interest rates relative to the fixed rates applicable on these secured term loan and revolving credit facilities. The unrealized gains on non-designated derivative instruments of $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily related to fair value gains of $7.6 million on our interest rate swaps across a number of our secured term loan and revolving credit facilities, as a result of continued increases in forward U.S. Libor interest rates relative to the fixed rates applicable on these secured term loan and revolving credit facilities, off-set by a loss on our cross-currency interest rate swap of $5.1 million which was due to further strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against the Norwegian Kroner.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $5.0 million, or 38.3%, to $18.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $13.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This is primarily as a result of increases in U.S. Libor and SOFR rates and the draw down of facilities that provided financing for the acquisition of five ethylene carriers by the Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture.

Income Taxes. Income taxes relate to taxes on our subsidiaries incorporated in the United States of America, as well as other countries around the world where we have subsidiaries. Income taxes increased to $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily as a result of current and deferred taxes on our portion of the profits from the Ethylene Export Terminal.

Share of Result of Equity Method Investments. The share of the result of the Company’s 50% ownership in the Export Terminal Joint Venture was an income of $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to an income of $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This decrease is a result of higher gas prices resulting in reduced throughput rates, offset by increased volumes exported through the Ethylene Export Terminal, of 249,857 tons for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 189,140 tons for the three months ended September 30, 2022,

Non-Controlling Interest. We entered into a sale and leaseback arrangement in November 2019 with a wholly-owned special purpose vehicle of a financial institution (“Lessor SPV”). Although we do not hold any equity investments in this Lessor SPV, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of this entity and accordingly, we are required to consolidate this Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) into our financial results. The net income attributable to the Lessor SPV was $0.4 million and this is presented as a non-controlling interest for each period for both the three months ended September 30, 2023, and three months ended September 30, 2022.

In September 2022, the Company entered into the Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture to acquire five ethylene vessels, Navigator Luna, Navigator Solar, Navigator Castor, Navigator Equator and Navigator Vega. The joint venture is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by Greater Bay Gas. The Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture is accounted for as a consolidated subsidiary in our consolidated financial statements, with the 40% owned by Greater Bay Gas accounted for as a non-controlling interest. A gain attributable to Greater Bay Gas of $1.9 million is presented as the non-controlling interest in our financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Our Fleet

The following table sets forth our vessels as of November 13, 2023:  

* denotes our owned vessels that operate within the Luna Pool
** denotes our owned vessels that operate within the independently managed Unigas Pool

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions related thereto, including our financial forecast. In addition, we and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also forward-looking statements. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in our business and the markets in which we operate as described in this press release. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “scheduled,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to:

future operating or financial results;

• potential acquisitions, and joint ventures, business strategy and expected capital spending;
• operating expenses, availability of crew, number of off-hire days, drydocking requirements and insurance costs;
• fluctuations in currencies and interest rates;
• general market conditions and shipping market trends, including charter rates and factors affecting vessel supply and demand;
• our ability to continue to comply with all our debt covenants;
• our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to refinance our indebtedness as it matures or obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other corporate activities;
• estimated future capital expenditures needed to preserve our capital base;
• our expectations about the availability of vessels to purchase, or the useful lives of our vessels;
• our continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate time charters with our customers;         
• our vessels engaging in ship to ship transfers of liquified petroleum gas (“LPG”) or petrochemical cargoes which may ultimately be discharged in sanctioned areas or to sanctioned individuals without our knowledge;
• the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and economic sanctions related thereto;
• the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza region and other geopolitical tensions;
• our ability to employ and retain suitably experienced commercial and technical staff;
• changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;
• global epidemics or other health crises such as the outbreak of COVID-19, including its impact on our business;
• potential liability from future litigation;
• our expectations relating to share repurchases and the payment of dividends;
• our ability to maintain appropriate internal control over financial reporting and, our disclosure controls and procedures;
• failure of a key information technology system or process or exposure to fraud, security breaches or cyber attacks;
• the impact of cyber crime and changing financial fraud environment.
• our expectations regarding the financial success of the Ethylene Export Terminal (as defined below) and our related Export Terminal Joint Venture (as defined below) and our expectations regarding the completion of construction, and the financial success of the Terminal Expansion Project (as defined below);
• our expectations regarding the financial success of our Luna Pool collaborative arrangement and our Navigator Greater Bay Joint Venture (as defined below); and
• other factors detailed from time to time in other periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in our views or expectations, or otherwise. We make no prediction or statement about the performance of our common stock. 

Category: Financial